The North Island
Most long-haul flights land in Auckland, the country's largest city, spread across volcanic cones between two harbours, with island ferries leaving from downtown. Three hours south, Rotorua is the heart of geothermal New Zealand and one of the best places to learn about Māori culture. At the bottom of the island, Wellington, the capital, is compact, creative and home to the national museum, Te Papa.
The South Island
Ferries cross Cook Strait from Wellington to Picton, or you can fly. Christchurch is the gateway to Canterbury, Akaroa, Lake Tekapo and Aoraki Mount Cook. In the far south, Queenstown sits on Lake Wakatipu below The Remarkables, the base for adventure sports, wineries, skiing and trips to Milford Sound.
How to combine them
A classic two to three week first trip flies into Auckland, heads south through Rotorua to Wellington, crosses to the South Island and finishes in Christchurch or Queenstown. Domestic flights save long days on the road. Use the free trip planner to build a route at a realistic pace, and browse places to visit for where to eat, walk and stay in each base.